Deepening Your Prayer Life: Lessons from Jesus' Example
This past Sunday, Pastor Sean Steinke shared a powerful message on "Jesus Prayer School" that explored how prayer transforms us from the inside out.
The Invitation to Intimate Prayer
Jesus often "went out to lonely places to pray," creating space for deep communion with His Father. This wasn't a burden or obligation—it was the source of His power and direction. As Pastor Sean reminded us, prayer isn't about performance but participation in the Trinity's eternal fellowship.
What would change if we approached prayer not as a task to complete but as an invitation to intimacy?
From Independence to Submission
One of the most striking insights from Sunday's message was how prayer moves us:
From independence to submission
From commitment to love
From fear to faith
From death to life
Each time we pray "Your will be done" as Jesus taught in Matthew 6, we're surrendering our independence and embracing God's loving direction. This isn't about losing our identity but finding it more fully in relationship with our Creator.
The Lord's Prayer: A Path to Freedom
Pastor Sean unpacked how the Lord's Prayer isn't just words to recite but a journey into God's heart:
"Our Father" - Prayer is both personal and communal
"Hallowed be your name" - Begins with worship, recognizing God's character
"Your kingdom come" - Invites God's rule and reign
"Give us daily bread" - Acknowledges our dependence
"Forgive us... as we forgive" - Releases us from the prison of unforgiveness
That last part—forgiveness—was especially emphasized. As we learned from the parable in Matthew 18:21-35, unforgiveness creates a prison that only Christ's love can unlock.
Practical Steps for Deeper Prayer
Ready to dive deeper into prayer? Here are some practical ways to apply Sunday's message:
Find your "lonely place" - Where can you meet with God without distractions? Is it outdoors like Pastor Sean's bench by the bike trail, or a quiet corner in your home?
Incorporate prayer into daily rhythms - Consider praying during exercise or using the Psalms of the day method (Psalm of the day + multiples of 30).
Practice the "Here I am" prayer - Sometimes the simplest prayers are the most powerful. Just showing up and being present with God transforms us.
Find a "rule buddy" - Connect with someone who can journey alongside you in building prayer habits and establishing a Rule of Life.
Release forgiveness - Is there a story of hurt you keep reviewing? Consider bringing it to the cross and releasing it through prayer.
Prayer Background
In prayer, this saying is true: Jews seek signs, Greeks seek wisdom, we teach Christ crucified. A stumbling stone to Jews and foolishness to Greeks. But to those who pray (believe), it is the power of God to salvation. Remember that Jesus’ name means ‘salvation’.
We are created to love God. We are called His children. We are compared to being His Bride. Most of the faithful disciples through scripture and church history preferred to be called a ‘servant’. “Your servant’ is the most common approach in prayer to the One we call ‘Lord.’ Is that a way you relate to Him?
The common theme of all 3 main ways of prayer is obedience. Servants obey their Master, Children obey their parents. Brides submit to husbands and in the old days they even vowed to ‘obey’.
Obedience, availability and meditation really are the essence of prayer. Why would God Incarnate spend time praying to the Father? It was obedience. He overcame sin and death through prayer and submission.
Prayer followed by Spirit powered obedience is the daily cross of Christ and the Rule of Life for us. Prayer is not complete without a ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit. Abiding in His love starts here, in lonely or corporate prayer.
Plastic alternatives like seeking experiences as ‘Jews’ (signs, intimacy, ecstasy) and answers like ‘Greeks’ (reason, ‘peace’, knowledge) echo the goals of the crafty serpent. He is subtle and comes as an angel of light. King Solomon explored all of these with the greatest vigor and wisdom. He built a magnificent house of prayer and his dedication prayer was answered with fire and glory. Still, without faithful obedience, he said it was all empty or vanity. He ended up allowing other gods to rule with him, with their evil sacrifices. His lesson? Remember your creator in your youth. Fear God. Keep His commands. This is the Son, the Faithful Adam.
At this point in our church year, we are with the disciples whom Luke said were continually in the temple area, praising God. They gathered for more prayer and fellowship in a large Upper Room. Jesus had told them to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. They were like faithful, obedient and available servants, children or spouses. So, then, like the faithful before us, we can echo this: “Here I Am, send me”. This is the most intimate prayer. It is the redemption of God's first lament, “Adam, where are you?”
It’s what faith prays. Faith pleases God. We love Him by faith. We believe He is and created all and that we will find Him like Jesus did - in lonely places and in Upper Rooms. It doesn’t have to flow. It doesn’t need a show.
We believe He rewards those who seek Him, in prayer and obedience - as the Son did. So, we pray by the same Spirit He had. The Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. He bears witness with peace in our hearts that we are the Father’s children. He prays through us with groans too deep for words. He leads us into all of the truth. He reminds us of all that Jesus has taught us. He is here and fills us as we gather.
One thought: What is intimacy? It can be varied. Marriage has intimacy, raising children has many moments of intimacy. Being out in His creation has magnificent intimacy. Foxholes with soldiers are intimate. Doctors in surgery or other care are intimate. Teachers helping students to lightbulb moments is intimate. Sports teams training and competing are intimate. Business, inventing, researching, cooking, cleaning together is intimate.
What is intimacy in prayer? It is the time spent, words thought of, people prayed for, the open ear to hear what the Spirit may say. True intimacy ends with ‘Not my will, but Your will be done.” Jesus
So, Lord, teach us to pray and be willing - as You prayed and obeyed - as Your church prayed- both in secret and as they gathered in the temple and the Upper Room. “Here I am.” “Here we are.”
Going Deeper Together
As Pastor Sean shared, "The heart of this, the core of this, if you want to say the root of this, is what Jesus did regularly in His practice." We invite you to join us in creating a culture where prayer becomes our natural response to both challenges and joys.
Would you like to explore these concepts further? Here are some ways to connect:
Join a Community Group where you can discuss and practice prayer together
Download our Rule of Life resources for establishing spiritual rhythms
Visit us Sunday at 11 AM at 301 S Bedford St in Madison
Remember, prayer isn't about perfection—it's about presence. As Pastor Sean reminded us, sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply saying, "Lord, I'm here."
